Teen Idol David Cassidy Dies

Seventies teen heartthrob David Cassidy died November 21 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida as a result of organ failure at the age of 67. In a statement issued by publicist JoAnn Geffen, Cassidy was surrounded by family at the time of his death.

Cassidy first came to the attention of television fans…and teen aged girls…as the oldest child in the television family band “The Partridge Family”. Each week Cassidy in the role of Keith Partridge would close the show performing with the band. While fans of the show saw the entire family appear to perform, only Cassidy and TV mom Shirley Jones actually sang their own parts.

Later Cassidy would strike out on his own to launch a successful solo career.

But before he made his television debut, Cassidy performed on Broadway in 1969 in “The Fig Leaves are Falling”. He also played Joseph in “The amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and appeared in the Broadway and touring productions of “Blood Brothers”. Other theatrical performances include “The Pajama Game”, “And So to Bed”, “Vo ice of the Turtle”, “Little Johnny Jones”, “Tribute”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Time”, “EFX”, “David Cassidy at the Copa”, and “ The Rat Pack is Back”.

Cassidy made his screen debut in 1969 with an episode of “The Survivors. Along with “The Partridge Family” Cassidy only appeared in about three dozen productions including “Ironside”, “Marcus Welby, M.D.”, “Adam-12”, “Bonanza”, Medical Center”, “Love Boat”, “Fantasy Island”, “Malcolm in the Middle”, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”.

David Bruce Cassidy was born on April 12, 1950 to entertainers Jack Cassidy and Evelyn Ward in New York City but spent much of his early years with Grandparents in New Jersey. After divorcing his mother, Cassidy’s father married actress Shirley Jones when young David was six years old.

Cassidy is survived by children Katie and Beau, step- mother Shirley Jones, and half brothers Shaun, Patrick, and Ryan.

About The Author

Sherrill is an award winning journalist and photographer. Her specialty is music, entertainment, and sports.To date she has had over 6,000 works published - including profiles, news pieces, reviews, and obituaries; both in print and online. She has covered 100's of concerts and conducted numerous interviews including members of One Republic, Clannad, Celtic Thunder, The Wiggles, the J. Geils Band, DoDriver, More Than Me, abd Thunderhand Joe and the Medicine Show.She has also co-authored a book on the history of a Rochester New York Congregation.She is also a photographer and artist whose photographs can be seen in some of her articles.Unless otherwise stated, the photos that appear in the articles belong to her.Sherrill makes her home in the western New York area.Sherrill contributes music and sports news for The Daily Voice News.Contact her at: [email protected]